An excessive focus on combating vaping may be inadvertently leading to an increase in traditional cigarette smoking and, consequently, a rise in cancer rates, a prominent Russian oncologist has warned. Speaking at a State Duma expert council meeting on competition in nicotine-containing product markets, Dr. David Zaridze, a Doctor of Medical Sciences and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, highlighted a concerning trend: for the first time in many years, Russia has recorded an increase in lung cancer among women.
Dr. Zaridze directly linked this rise to an increase in smoking prevalence among females. Data from VTsIOM (the Russian Public Opinion Research Center) indicates that the percentage of women smokers in Russia grew from 17% in 2016 to 21%. "While we were fighting vapes, not cigarettes, we got an increase in diseases and mortality," Zaridze stated. He emphasized that nicotine itself is not as dangerous as the combustion products found in traditional cigarettes, which cause the most harm.
The oncologist suggested that electronic tobacco heating systems and licensed vapes contain significantly fewer carcinogens than regular cigarettes. He proposed these could serve as a less harmful alternative for adult smokers looking to transition away from traditional tobacco. However, Dr. Zaridze stressed that such devices must be strictly inaccessible to children, adolescents, and pregnant women.
Addressing media reports of alleged teenage fatalities due to vaping, Dr. Zaridze stated that none of these cases have been officially confirmed. He cited an instance in Barnaul where initial reports claimed a schoolboy died from an electronic cigarette, but a subsequent examination refuted this.
Dmitry Vladimirov, Director of the Union of Enterprises of the Non-Medical Inhalation Industry, pointed to a different, often overlooked threat to teenagers: "sniffing" – inhaling gas from lighters and deodorants. These readily available substances like propane, butane, and isobutane can cause suffocation, pulmonary and cerebral edema, and sometimes instant death. According to open sources, over a thousand children in Russia died from toxic poisoning with such substances between 2016 and 2022. Vladimirov expressed concern that schools and families are not paying sufficient attention to this form of domestic toxicomania.
"Without comprehensive prevention and education of teenagers, bans will not work," Vladimirov emphasized. "Moreover, banning vapes can stimulate the shadow market, where counterfeit products that are dangerous to life will be sold."
Psychologist Alexander Lysenko echoed the importance of parental involvement, stating that education and active participation are crucial in preventing teenage risks. "Parents should take an active interest in their children's lives, especially during adolescence," Lysenko noted. "No prohibitions can replace trusting communication and regular discussions of the harm of smoking, alcohol, and drugs."
The expert council discussion underscores the complexity of public health strategies surrounding nicotine products, suggesting a need for nuanced approaches that address various forms of substance use and prioritize harm reduction alongside prevention, particularly for vulnerable populations.
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